Journey to the center of the earth and discover Andean highlands, Amazonian jungle, and colonial Spanish cities. Quito, Ecuador’s mountainous capital, sits on an ancient Inca site. From the elaborate, 16th century Compañía de Jesús to the enormous Basilica del Voto Nacional—the largest neo-Gothic basilica in the Americas—the city is filled with churches. Climb to Loma el Panecillo to see the imposing aluminum statue of the Virgin Mary and excellent views of the capital. North of Quito you’ll find Ciudad Mitad del Mundo, where you can stand with each foot in a different hemisphere. The region is known for its volcanoes, such as the magnificent Cotopaxi National Park. No tour of Ecuador would be complete without a visit to the Galapagos Islands, found about 600 miles of the coast. These volcanic islands are home to some of the most unique wildlife on the planet, including marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, flightless cormorants, and giant tortoises.